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Today — 30 May 2026News

习近平与金正恩又要见面了吗? - RFI - 法国国际广播电台

30 May 2026 at 01:45
29/05/2026 - 19:16

5月14日至15日和20日在北京与美国总统特朗普和俄罗斯总统普京举行了峰会后,中国国家主席习近平似乎正在筹备未来几周对平壤进行国事访问。如果成形,这将是他2026年的首次出访。分析认为,将平壤放在习近平今年访问行程的象征性顶端的意义在于,即纠正了西方关于平壤在乌克兰战争期间永久滑入莫斯科势力范围的说法,同时也将北京定位为地区格局的主要仲裁者。

首先报道这个消息的是韩联社,上周三(5月20日)援引一位高级政府官员的话报道,中国国家主席习近平最早可能于下周访问朝鲜,并将尝试在朝鲜领导人金正恩和美国总统唐纳德·特朗普之间进行调解。韩联社援引另一位政府消息人士的话说,一支中国安全部门和礼宾官员团队最近访问了平壤,这些迹象显示习近平很可能在5月下旬或6月初访问朝鲜。

该访问行程没有得到朝中两方的证实。但中国外交部发言人郭嘉昆在5月21日发表了关于中朝双方长期友好交流的惯常说法,并表示没有具体信息可以透露。这种不否认的态度,加上据报道中国安全和礼宾团队已在平壤开展前期工作,与习近平2019年6月访朝前的外交节奏如出一辙。

三次重要“习金会”的背景和意义

路透社视频档案回顾2018年以来,金正恩和习近平的三次重要会面。

2018年3月26日,朝鲜领导人金正恩抵达北京访问。这是自从金正恩2011年执掌权力以来的第一次访华之旅。

这次到最后一刻都保密的访问是在3月8日白宫证实美国总统唐纳德·特朗普决定将与朝鲜劳动党委员长兼国务委员会委员长金正恩会面后进行的。

据中国官媒新华社当时的报导,金正恩是“应中共中央总书记、国家主席习近平邀请”,在3月25日至28日进行“非正式访问” ,陪同金正恩的包括其夫人李雪主、朝鲜劳动党中央副委员长崔龙海、外相李勇浩等多名朝鲜高层官员。金正恩说,首次出访就到中国,是表达其“继承朝中友好传统、珍视朝中友谊的心意”;习近平则指这次金正恩访华“时机特殊”、“意义重大”,体现了朝鲜方面对中朝两党两国关系的“高度重视”,对此“高度评价”,两国关系“不应也不会因一时一事而变化”

《纽约时报》评论指出,在国内权力稳固,核计划(兴许)已经完成的情况下,金正恩似乎有信心在国际舞台上成为一名得到认可——哪怕还不是一名受敬重的参与者。对一名雄心勃勃的年轻领导人来说,这项成就可谓登峰造极。

中国长期以来是朝鲜的盟友和保护国,是其举步维艰的经济赖以维持的命脉。但两国之间的关系变得越来越紧张,而金正恩领导的政府需要北京帮助其摆脱国际孤立。中国显然对这个资历尚浅的合作伙伴的挑衅之举感到不满,因而站到了美国等国一边,加强了针对朝鲜核试验及导弹试验的制裁。金正恩还没和中国最高领导人见过面,并且随着他即将与美国和韩国直接对话,他可以利用能得到的一切外交支持。

至少,金正恩承担不起在即将与首尔和华盛顿举行的会谈期间因为绕过越来越强势和自信的习近平,在外交上怠慢后者的代价。因此有了这次北京访问。

在这次访问之后不到两个月后,5月8号 习近平同朝鲜劳动党委员长金正恩在大连举行会晤。

就像金正恩3月份访问北京时一样,他对大连的访问也是保密的。不寻常之处在于,在不到两个月时间里连续访问中国,对朝鲜领导人而言是没有现代先例的。外界也注意到,金正恩这次选择乘飞机旅行,显然不像他父亲那样害怕飞行。上次访问北京时,他乘坐的是行驶缓慢的火车。

中国人民大学教授成晓河告诉《纽约时报》,习金“第二次会面表明,朝鲜希望中国在无核化进程中发挥更大的作用,” “当金正恩与特朗普会面时,他会感到更加自信,因为他在各种问题上的立场都得到了中国领导人的咨询和认可。”

但也有一些中国的分析人士表示,不应夸大两位领导人在大连展示出的热情——他们在田园风格的室外露台的柳条扶手椅上坐了一会儿。他们说,金正恩保留了一些独立性。

这次访问之后,5月10日,特朗普宣布峰会将于2018年6月12日在新加坡举行。

一年后,2019年6月20日,中共中央总书记、国家主席习近平乘专机抵达平壤,开始对朝鲜进行国事访问。

这是继2005年10月中国国家主席胡锦涛访朝以来,时隔14年中国领导人再次访问朝鲜,似乎由于中美贸易战的因素使得习近平在仓促之中成行。

美国国务院负责东亚太事务的前代理国务卿助理桑顿当时认为: "习近平的访朝,不会取得像重启无核化谈判这种的成果。习近平此次访朝,与其说是激活外交动力,不如说是传达当地情况和金正恩的意思。这是为了同时获得中国的对美杠杆和特朗普总统的善意而进行的布局"。

中朝一体化进程的公共外交的巅峰之作?

对于潜在的习近平平壤行,澳大利亚智库,洛伊是政策研究所文章就此次访问的理由, 更紧迫的问题,旨在预先阻止什么,又能实现什么等议题进行分析。

文章认为,在社会主义国家之间的关系中,谁与谁的访问存在不对称性,这仍然是一个根本性的信息。金正恩上次访问北京是在2025年9月,当时他与普京一同出席了胜利80周年阅兵式。

中方回访金正恩在技术上已经过了期限,而将平壤置于习近平2026年访问行程的象征性顶端——排在所有其他外国首都之前——显然是经过深思熟虑的。这纠正了西方关于平壤在乌克兰战争期间永久滑入莫斯科势力范围的说法,同时也将北京定位为地区格局的主要仲裁者。

分析指出,解读习近平即将到来的访问,关键在于运作层面和党内层面的机制已经重建完毕。北京至平壤的客运列车在停运六年之后于3月12日恢复运行,随后中国国际航空公司于3月30日开通了直飞航班。吉林G331国道——一条沿鸭绿江和图们江边界延伸的中国境内公路——于2025年9月正式成为国家级边境风景名胜区。

中国外交部长王毅于4月9日至10日访问平壤,这是他自2019年以来首次访问朝鲜,此行恢复了中朝部长级直接对话,并亲自转达了习近平主席对中共九大召开的祝贺。在党的层面,中共中央宣传部部长李书磊出席了3月31日朝鲜驻华大使馆举行的九大招待会,这表明北京方面对朝鲜九大给予了制度性的支持,而这种支持在以往北京对朝鲜劳动党九大的反应中却明显缺失。

文章作者继续指出,习近平主席的访问并非开场白,而是过去九个月来在峰会层面悄然构建的中朝一体化进程的公共外交的巅峰之作。

2月23日,习近平就金正恩再次当选朝鲜劳动党总书记向其发贺电,称第九次朝美“承前启后”。这一表述并非首次出现。习近平在2019年6月20日于平壤与金正恩会谈时也使用了同样的措辞,当时他谈到朝美建交70周年,并明确表示中国支持“推进朝鲜半岛无核化”。

然而,地缘政治格局已然颠倒。2019年,“承前启后”是中朝外交中与无核化相契合的框架。而到了2026年,这一表述却为一次正式放弃和平统一、将核武器确立为永久性国家能力、并将朝韩关系重新定义为敌对国家关系的全国代表大会赋予了隐性合法性。

北京使用措辞相同的词语表达截然相反的战略内容,这无疑是在暗示其对金正恩新战略的默许。如果习近平在平壤再次提及这一措辞,这将是其最高领导人在外交记录允许范围内对朝鲜核地位最接近的公开认可。

'Poison seller' who sold toxic chemicals online to people across world admits aiding suicides

29 May 2026 at 23:29
BBC David Parfett speaking during an interview being conducted outdoors. He has short, grey hair and is wearing a blue shirt. Trees and leaves are in the background.BBC
David Parfett remembers his son Thomas, who died in 2021, as someone who "really saw the joy in life"

Families in the UK say they are angry at the decision by prosecutors not to charge a Canadian man who is alleged to have sold a lethal chemical linked to the deaths of 73 British people.

The father of one of those who died told the BBC that Kenneth Law had caused "devastation" and that he wanted Law to face charges in the UK.

Law, a former chef, is expected to admit 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada when he appears in court in Ontario later on Friday.

Prosecutors there say he marketed and sold lethal quantities of a substance online, which he sent to about 1,200 people around the world.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the Canadian legal system will take the losses of UK families into account.

A letter from the CPS, seen by the BBC, said Law would not face charges in the UK because of legal complexities.

David Parfett's 22 year-old son, Thomas, used the substance said to have been sold to him by Law.

"Tom was somebody who really saw the joy in life. He would find humour in the weirdest places. I often think about his laugh," Parfett said.

"Tom was a massive football fan and he was a good footballer as well. I miss the opportunity to enjoy the 2026 World Cup with him."

David Parfett Thomas Parfett, a young man wearing a faded blue T-shirt and black-framed glasses. He is sat in an outdoor seating area with parasols.David Parfett
Thomas Parfett was described by his father as a "massive football fan"

Parfett said: "I had wanted Law to face charges in the UK... he really needed to face justice over here."

Parfett is calling on the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths.

"I think that a public inquiry is needed because we need action across multiple government departments and unfortunately, we are not seeing that coordination and that understanding of how to address the problem today," he said.

"Fundamentally, the government is failing in its duty to protect life."

The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment.

Law was charged with 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada and 14 counts of second degree murder following his arrest in 2023.

His capture followed a complex investigation by at least 11 law-enforcement agencies and involved investigators from around a dozen countries, including the UK, Italy and the US.

PA Media Close up image of Kenneth Law's face. He is looking at the camera and is wearing glasses.PA Media
Kenneth Law will appear in court in Ontario, Canada later on Friday

British detectives were initially investigating whether 88 deaths were linked to Law's chemical packages, but in its letter to UK families, the CPS said it believed 73 deaths could be linked to Law and that he was expected to accept sending 330 packages to the UK.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, details of organisations offering information are available at BBC Action Line.

Ex-head monk of China's 'kung fu temple' jailed for embezzlement

29 May 2026 at 23:23
Getty Images Shi Yongxin putting his palms together in a prayer position. He is wearing a yellow robe. File photoGetty Images
Shi Yongxin - who had earlier admitted his guilt - said he would not appeal against Friday's court verdict

The former head of China's famous Shaolin Temple - known as the birthplace of kung fu - has been sentenced to 24 years in jail for crimes including embezzlement and bribery.

Shi Yongxin had misappropriated temple assets worth more than 282m yuan ($42m; £31m) from 2003 to 2025, a court in the central Henan province said.

It said Shi had also used his official position to illegally obtain millions from temple construction projects, as well as offering huge bribes to Chinese officials.

Shi - whose birth name is Liu Yingcheng - had earlier admitted his guilt, China's state Xinhua news agency reported. On Friday, he said he would not appeal against the verdict.

The 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple - located on a mountain range - attracts thousands of disciples from China and elsewhere every year.

Shi took office there as abbot in 1999, soon earning the nickname "CEO monk" for transforming the institution into a global brand.

Under his leadership, the temple started opening schools outside China and formed a travelling troupe of monks who performed Shaolin kung fu shows - the temple's signature style of martial arts.

Last year he was defrocked, China's Buddhist association said.

Shi was investigated for embezzlement and fathering several children in 2015, but was later cleared of the charges.

In an interview with BBC Chinese that year, he said: "If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago."

The name "Shaolin Temple" has gained prominence in pop culture over the years, including being the title of a 1982 film starring Jet Li.

The temple is referenced in songs by American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and inspired a spin-off of the video game Mortal Kombat.

Israeli Troops Push Deeper Into Lebanon as Cease-Fire Talks Continue

By: Euan Ward
30 May 2026 at 01:10
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli ground forces had crossed Lebanon’s Litani River, as military officials from the two countries were set to meet for U.S.-brokered talks.

© Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times

An apartment building in Tyre, Lebanon, on Tuesday, in the aftermath of an Israeli strike.

Louisiana Approves Map Eliminating a Majority-Black District

30 May 2026 at 01:09
A Supreme Court court ruling last month rejected the state’s previous congressional map as an illegal racial gerrymander and set off a redistricting race across the South.

© Gerald Herbert/Associated Press, via Associated Press Photo, via Gerald Herbert

State Representative Edmond Jordan of Louisiana speaks with fellow lawmakers before a Louisiana House vote on a redistricting plan to eliminate a majority-Black congressional district in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in Baton Rouge, La., on Thursday.

Louisiana Republicans pass gerrymandered map that eliminates majority-Black district

30 May 2026 at 01:03

Louisiana Republicans passed a new gerrymander on Friday that will eliminate one of the state’s two Democratic, majority-Black House districts ahead of the midterms.

The state Senate sent the bill to GOP Gov. Jeff Landry, who is expected to approve it.

The new map was spurred by the Supreme Court’s decision to narrow the Voting Rights Act, which gave Louisiana the greenlight to redraw its majority-minority districts and kicked off new gerrymanders in other GOP-led southern states, like Tennessee.

Friday’s result is a major win for Landry and for President Donald Trump, further extending Republicans’ gains through mid-decade redistricting this cycle.

Rep. Cleo Fields’ (D-La.) district has been completely erased in the new map, while Rep. Troy Carter’s (D-La.) blue-leaning district has been redrawn to mostly mirror the seat he won in 2022.

Fields’ district snaked across the state from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, while Carter’s seat was largely based around New Orleans.

In order to pass the map for this year’s midterms, Landry used his executive authority to declare a state of emergency and canceled May primary elections for House races, something that has cost millions of dollars and led to widespread confusion. Louisiana’s House primaries will now take place on Nov. 3, with any necessary runoffs stretching to December.

Some GOP members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation were not pleased with the new map. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) recently called it a “Frankenstein looking thing” that “was NO DOUBT drawn up by a very small handful of guys in a secret room.”

His post caught the attention of state House lawmakers when their chamber approved the map on Thursday. Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Chair Edmond Jordan, a Democrat, joked on the House floor that “hell has frozen over” because he agreed with Higgins.

Louisiana’s one-seat gain comes as other states Georgia like and most recently South Carolina declined to pursue redistricting or put it on hold until the 2028 cycle. The redraw spree first kicked off last summer in Texas and has spread to 10 states, some of which are still held up in court.

There will almost certainly be legal challenges in Louisiana, and potentially from the same plaintiffs in Louisiana v. Callais, who have already argued in court filings that the one remaining Black-majority district is unconstitutional.

Aaron Pellish contributed.

© Evan Vucci/AP

'Poison seller' who sold toxic chemicals online to people across world admits aiding suicides

29 May 2026 at 23:29
BBC David Parfett speaking during an interview being conducted outdoors. He has short, grey hair and is wearing a blue shirt. Trees and leaves are in the background.BBC
David Parfett remembers his son Thomas, who died in 2021, as someone who "really saw the joy in life"

Families in the UK say they are angry at the decision by prosecutors not to charge a Canadian man who is alleged to have sold a lethal chemical linked to the deaths of 73 British people.

The father of one of those who died told the BBC that Kenneth Law had caused "devastation" and that he wanted Law to face charges in the UK.

Law, a former chef, is expected to admit 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada when he appears in court in Ontario later on Friday.

Prosecutors there say he marketed and sold lethal quantities of a substance online, which he sent to about 1,200 people around the world.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the Canadian legal system will take the losses of UK families into account.

A letter from the CPS, seen by the BBC, said Law would not face charges in the UK because of legal complexities.

David Parfett's 22 year-old son, Thomas, used the substance said to have been sold to him by Law.

"Tom was somebody who really saw the joy in life. He would find humour in the weirdest places. I often think about his laugh," Parfett said.

"Tom was a massive football fan and he was a good footballer as well. I miss the opportunity to enjoy the 2026 World Cup with him."

David Parfett Thomas Parfett, a young man wearing a faded blue T-shirt and black-framed glasses. He is sat in an outdoor seating area with parasols.David Parfett
Thomas Parfett was described by his father as a "massive football fan"

Parfett said: "I had wanted Law to face charges in the UK... he really needed to face justice over here."

Parfett is calling on the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths.

"I think that a public inquiry is needed because we need action across multiple government departments and unfortunately, we are not seeing that coordination and that understanding of how to address the problem today," he said.

"Fundamentally, the government is failing in its duty to protect life."

The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment.

Law was charged with 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada and 14 counts of second degree murder following his arrest in 2023.

His capture followed a complex investigation by at least 11 law-enforcement agencies and involved investigators from around a dozen countries, including the UK, Italy and the US.

PA Media Close up image of Kenneth Law's face. He is looking at the camera and is wearing glasses.PA Media
Kenneth Law will appear in court in Ontario, Canada later on Friday

British detectives were initially investigating whether 88 deaths were linked to Law's chemical packages, but in its letter to UK families, the CPS said it believed 73 deaths could be linked to Law and that he was expected to accept sending 330 packages to the UK.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, details of organisations offering information are available at BBC Action Line.

Nato condemns Russian 'recklessness' after drone hits Romanian residential block

29 May 2026 at 20:56
Reuters Firefighters work near a building, which was hit by a drone in GalatiReuters
Emergency services work at the scene of a drone crash in Romania

A Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania, the country's defence ministry said early on Friday, causing a fire and injuring two people.

The drone crashed in the eastern city of Galati as Russia carried out attacks in Ukraine near the border, the ministry said in a statement.

The Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said the drone's entire explosive payload detonated, causing a fire on the 10th floor of the residential building.

Russian drones have strayed across the border of the Nato member country a number of times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but this was the first time citizens from Romania had been hurt. Russia has yet to comment on the incident.

"This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation on the part of the Russian Federation," Romania's foreign ministry said, adding Bucharest had informed the Nato secretary general and "requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania".

The emergency services said two people received medical treatment after suffering abrasions and around 70 people were evacuated as the fire was put out.

Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the drones were detected in Romanian airspace, the defence ministry said.

"One of these drones entered Romanian airspace, was tracked by radar as far as the southern part of the city of Galati, and crashed onto the roof of an apartment building, with the impact triggering a fire," it said.

The River Danube nearby forms the border with Ukraine, and Ukrainian ports are regularly targets of Russian air attacks.

In an incident in April, another Russian drone caused material damage in Galati, but no injuries.

Romania's defence ministry says that since the start of the war in Ukraine, drone fragments have been found on Romanian territory on 47 separate occasions, 12 of them this year alone.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Meanwhile, a nationwide air raid alert was also issued overnight in Ukraine, where officials in the south of the country said the port of Izmail in the Odesa region came under drone attack early on Friday.

And in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, three utility workers were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Thursday, the Kremlin-installed head of the region said.

A fourth man was seriously injured in the incident, Denis Pushilin said on the Telegram messaging app.

Top UK chefs call for cutting VAT for pubs and restaurants to 10%

29 May 2026 at 18:55
‘It’s never been this hard’: Top chefs speak out on a struggling industry

Four top UK chefs and restaurant owners have urged the government to cut VAT for restaurants and pubs as they warned working in the hospitality industry was the "hardest it has ever been".

Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT should be slashed to 10% to ease pressure on businesses and bring rates closer to levels across Europe.

"We're not making any money whatsoever, and we're just keeping our heads above water," warned Rogan, while Kerridge said the government was getting taxation on businesses "very, very wrong".

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden acknowledged the government had "asked business to contribute more", adding "we help them where we can".

He said the government was lobbied about tax cuts "all the time", but there was a cost attached.

"The chancellor has to make these decisions in the round, netting off all of these demands against the increasing expenditure demands that government also faces by people every day saying 'why can't you spend more on this or this'," McFadden added.

But Ottolenghi, who has 11 restaurants, cafes and delis, described the situation was "crippling" - not just for his own business, but for others running bakeries, cafes, and pubs.

"Every pound that we take, a substantial amount of it just goes to the government for a different taxation," he said.

Getty Images Chefs Ravneet Gill and Tom Kerridge Getty Images
Chefs Ravneet Gill, left, and Tom Kerridge

The call from the famous chefs follows a tough few years for the hospitality industry. The height of the Covid pandemic brought trade to a halt before energy prices soared due to the war in Ukraine and pushed up costs across the board with little respite since.

Customers hit by the cost of living have also cut back on spending, especially on dining out recently.

While various support packages, such as the pandemic-era Eat Out to Help Out scheme and previous VAT relief provided a temporary a boost, three hospitality businesses have gone under every day since the start of 2026, according to the industry body UK Hospitality.

Value added tax, or VAT, is the tax people have to pay when buying goods or services. The standard rate of VAT in the UK is 20%.

The rate, which applies to UK hospitality businesses, is the second highest in Europe behind Denmark, according to UK Hospitality.

It has repeatedly argued for VAT to be lowered near to rates seen in Germany (7%), Ireland (9%), France (10%), Italy (10%) and Spain (10%).

Kerridge, who runs five restaurants and pubs, said there were "so many different factors" driving costs up and eroding margins, including government policy decisions such as higher rates of National Insurance for employers, business rates and the minimum wage.

The Labour party supporter claimed the industry had reached a "peak point" where businesses could no longer pass on price increased to customers. "It just doesn't work because it will stop people coming out."

Pastry chef and author Ravneet Gill, who opened her first restaurant a year ago, said she "never imagined it would be this tough", especially the expense when it came to employing people.

Rogan, who has nine Michelin stars across his restaurant group in the UK, Malta and Hong Kong, agreed it was expensive to take on staff, but said VAT was "a killer".

PA Media Chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Simon RoganPA Media
Chefs Yotam Ottolenghi, left, and Simon Rogan

Kerridge and his fellow chefs indicated they supported the rise in the minimum wage, but argued a VAT cut from 20% to 10% for the sector would "allow operators to breathe" and also reinvest.

He claimed it was about "survival" for the industry rather than passing on the cut to customers through cheaper prices.

"Don't look at us as having profit is a dirty thing," added Gill.

"We're not going on fancy yachts and driving expensive cars. We are doing it so we can regenerate our areas that we're in, employ more people."

Last week, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced VAT reduction from 20% to 5% on various attractionsover the summer holidays, which included children's meals in restaurants and cafes.

But Gill said she believed the policy was a "a very poor attempt at trying to offer something to hospitality and quite frankly it will lead to loopholes, fraud, misuse and no genuine good".

'Cutting employment costs can help young people'

Hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes and pubs often offer the first experience of work for many young people, with the industry employing 28% of all 18 to 20-year-olds, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

However, those openings are disappearing: on Thursday, a damning report found job opportunities for young people were shrinking, with its author, former Labour minister Alan Milburn, saying the UK was "at risk of a lost generation".

The review came as official figures revealed more than one million young people were not in education, employment or training - the highest level in more than 12 years.

Following Milburn's report, the government said it was creating 300,000 work experience and training placements in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality.

Treasury minister Torsten Bell told the BBC's Today programme that the rates of employing aged 18 to 25-year-olds were "exactly the same as when we took office in 2024", but admitted higher taxes was having an impact.

The figures add to growing concerns over the number of young people not being able to secure a job in the UK.

Allen Simpson, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said the solution to the problem was to reduce the cost of employment for businesses.

"The government needs to make it economically beneficial to employ young people once again."

Rogan said when "when restaurants are under pressure," "investing in youngsters and sustainability, they're the first two things that fall by the wayside."

Food author Ottolenghi said there should be a public debate about "what we're losing" through restaurants closing.

"The risk for me is if those go... we're just going to kind of become a society where people sit around at home, look at screens and never interact with each other.

"We end up as an industry taking so much of the burden and government lays on more taxes. Those could come down quite easily for us because we employ all these young people and we give them skills."

One in four first class letters delivered late

29 May 2026 at 23:51
Getty Images A postal worker in a high-vis orange jacket delivering post by pushing a red box, labelled Royal Mail, down a streetGetty Images

Just over three-quarters of first class letters, or 75.7%, were delivered on time by Royal Mail in the year to the end of March, far off its target of 93%.

The latest quality-of-service report reflects the postal firm's performance under its new private owner, Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, whose takeover was approved by shareholders at the end of April last year.

Meanwhile, only 90.2% of second class letters were delivered within three working days against a target of 98.5%.

Royal Mail said its service was improving and that it was on track to hit new reduced targets - of 90% for first class delivery and 95% for second class - by this time next year.

Chief operating officer Jamie Stephenson said: "We're putting significant investment into improving reliability and reaching these new delivery targets, but delivering lasting change across a network of this scale takes time."

The firm said it was investing £500m over the next five years as part of its improvement plan.

The postal service has faced years of criticism from politicians and the public over the slowness of its letter delivery.

It has been six years since the institution last met its letter delivery targets for second class post and ten years since it last met its letter delivery targets for first class post.

Its performance slumped during the Covid-19 pandemic and has failed to fully recover since.

In October last year, the regulator Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21m for missing the targets - the third-largest fine ever imposed by the communications watchdog.

Royal Mail was also fined in 2023 and 2024 for poor performance.

In February this year, postal workers told the BBC that some letters had been sitting undelivered for weeks and that they had been told to prioritise parcel delivery instead as it is more profitable.

Royal Mail executives were hauled in front of a parliamentary select committee in March to respond to the claims.

Kretinsky told MPs at the meeting that he was "deeply sorry for any letter that arrives late".

In response to the allegation that parcels were being prioritised, he said: "I have never heard any instruction or discussion, and have not participated in any exchange, that would sanction that Royal Mail is prioritising parcels over letters."

Improvement plan

Reacting to Friday's performance figures, Citizens Advice policy director Tom MacInnes said poor performance at Royal Mail was "business as usual".

"What's worse, Royal Mail claims people will have to wait another year until it can meet its new, lower delivery targets," he added.

As part of its improvment plan, Royal Mail has given part-time postal workers the option to work longer hours.

It has also agreed a plan with Ofcom to scrap second class delivery on Saturdays as part of its new model.

Ofcom has also reduced Royal Mail's letter delivery targets. Since April this year, the service has been measured against a new lower target: 90% of first class letters must arrive by the next working day and 95% of second class letters must be delivered within three days.

Ofcom said that "maintaining the current targets – which are more stretching than comparable European countries – would carry higher costs which would need to be recovered through higher prices".

Badenoch tells Blair not to waste his time calling for Labour to change

29 May 2026 at 23:35
ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock Kemi Badenoch speaking in front of British flag at an event. She is wearing a brown coloured jacket and a white shirt.ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock

Kemi Badenoch has told former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to "not waste your time" trying to convince the Labour government to change course.

The Conservative Party leader said Sir Tony was right to ask Labour MPs to focus on a "proper political project that increases our economic and military strength".

But Badenoch claimed there was "only one show in town" to deliver this, as she advised the Labour grandee to vote Conservative at the next general election.

Her letter follows Sir Tony's 5,600 word essay that argued Sir Keir Starmer's government had no "coherent plan" for the country and had introduced policies that held back business. The prime minister has defended his decisions.

Badenoch's open letter published in The Times is the latest contribution to the debate over Labour's future, which has seen essays and opinion pieces published by key Labour figures.

Sir Tony's initial intervention came as Sir Keir faces a potential leadership challenge following a poor set of election results and ministerial resignations.

Badenoch said those vying to replace Sir Keir "will be no better".

She also criticised some of Sir Tony's record in government, including on devolution and the impact of legal reforms on migration.

She said: "The Blairite legacy is that the entire country is now run by HR as Labour junk your best ideas and champion your worst.

"So you're right: we need problem-solvers. It's why I trained as an engineer and later, why I came into politics. I know that real problem-solving starts with diagnosing the root cause. It means facing the facts as they are, not as we wish them to be.

"Well, Tony surely now you must accept that the facts of life are Conservative. There is only one show in town for the political project you proposed."

Badenoch said Sir Tony's essay failed to address the "question of who we are as a nation", adding "culture matters" and "we are more than a series of economic units working to deliver growth".

After she criticised other political parties, Badenoch told Sir Tony: "Don't expect Labour to change. Don't waste your time with these essays."

She added: "If you want serious change at the next election my advice to you - as it is to everyone who is sick of Starmerism - is to vote Conservative."

Sir Tony, who won three general elections, had argued a change of Labour leader was "irrelevant if it doesn't start with a policy debate".

He agreed with some of the government's policies but he offered suggestions for change, including removing parts of the net-zero agenda "which prioritise clean energy over cheaper energy" and reforming welfare.

The former PM said Labour must remove obstacles to business growth, take action to tackle illegal immigration and harness artificial AI.

He called for the party to champion the "radical centre".

Sir Keir delivered a near-3,000 word riposte to Sir Tony on Thursday, in which he said he had made the right policy choices given the backdrop he inherited.

He acknowledged Labour's early decision to restrict winter fuel payments, on which it eventually U-turned, had been a "mistake", and that it had "asked a lot" of businesses by hiking the amount of National Insurance tax they pay.

But he said the party had "got the big political choices right", pointing to falls in migration, NHS waiting times, and knife crime, whilst arguing the UK was "outperforming our peers" economically.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor who is seeking a return to the Commons, accused Sir Tony of underestimating the impact of inequality in his critique.

Both men are considered potential Labour leadership challengers to Sir Keir, although no formal contest has been launched and the PM has said he would not "walk away".

Burnham is seeking to become an MP again on 18 June in the Makerfield by-election, on the outskirts of Wigan, in what is expected to be a closely-fought contest with Reform UK's Robert Kenyon.

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Greek national charged with assisting 'Iran spies'

29 May 2026 at 23:39
Getty Images The well-known triangular Metropolitan Police sign is in the foreground of the image with the police headquarters in the backgroundGetty Images

A Greek national has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service linked to Iran.

Ioannis Aidinidis, 46, was charged on Friday under the National Security Act after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London.

The Met said Aidinidis is accused of helping an intelligence service "believed to be Iran" by "targeting of a UK-based journalist working for Iran International".

Aidinidis, who lives in Munich, Germany, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' court on Friday.

He has been in custody since his arrest in West Sussex on 16 May.

"We know this may cause concern for many people here in the UK, and particularly those working in Persian-language media," Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said.

She added that the force was providing advice and security support to a number of organisations and individuals, including "the specific individual and organisation linked to this investigation".

Police said there was not believed to be a wider threat to the public.

In April, three people were charged over an attempted arson attack on the offices of Iran International in north-west London.

An Islamist group with possible links to Iran - Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya - claimed responsibility for the attack. The claim has not been substantiated.

In a statement last month, Iran International said it had been subject to a "campaign of transnational intimidation aimed at silencing independent journalism".

Research Funding Slows Again for Universities Targeted by White House

The National Science Foundation lifted a hold on some grants for Harvard and other universities this week after inquiries from media outlets, including The New York Times.

© Sophie Park for The New York Times

Harvard has faced more government actions than any school since President Trump returned to office.

After Orban’s Defeat, Hungary Is Poised to Get Billions From E.U.

29 May 2026 at 23:45
The European Union is set to release 16 billion euros it had withheld, as Hungary moves to enact anti-corruption and rule of law policies.

© John Moore/Getty Images

Budapest, Hungary, in early May.

One of Five Gold Miners Is Rescued From Laos Cave After More Than a Week

An international effort to free the trapped men brought attention to the country’s informal mines, where panning for gold can pay more than minimum wage.

© Association Of Volunteers For Lao People, via Associated Press

港记协前主席陈朗昇上诉失败 阻差办公罪成须即时入狱五天 - RFI - 法国国际广播电台

29 May 2026 at 23:45
29/05/2026 - 16:32

香港记者协会时任主席陈朗昇,年前采访被截查时,因反问警方截查理由及查问便衣警员身份,被裁定阻差办公罪成判囚,今日上诉失败后,须即时入狱五天。他是第一位在任记协主席因新闻工作被判入狱的,却是2019年反修例运动以来,至少第十五名入狱的新闻工作者。陈朗升在法庭作出裁决前表示, 心情忐忑,更质问香港小宪法中承诺的新闻自由在哪?记协对裁决深感遗憾,主席郑嘉如认为,裁决令依法行使诘问执法者公民权利之人须冒极大风险,若此,相关权利便是名存实亡。

 

案发2022年9月,时任记协主席陈朗昇,以网媒 Channel C 多媒体制作主任的身份到旺角麦花臣运动场馆采访一个屋邨的业主大会时,在场外遭一名便衣女警要求出示身份证。但在2019年反修例运动期间遭警员在直播镜头前展示其身份证的陈朗升,对警员查阅身份证较为敏感,反问对方以什么理由截查他,并重覆查问对方身份,双方为此争拗约半分钟;後经军装警员介入,陈有出示未除外套的身份证,但最终被拘捕,控以「阻挠在正当执行职务的警务人员」罪 (俗称阻差办公)。

陈朗昇:新闻自由在哪? 至少8名记者仍在囚

陈否认控罪,经审讯後,於2023年9月被裁判法院裁定罪名成立,判囚五日。陈不服裁决,提出上诉,高等法院原讼庭暂委法官王诗丽今(29日)午驳回上诉,於2024年卸任记协主席一职的陈朗昇,须即时入狱。而陈亦早作准备,换上入狱时配戴的胶边眼镜。

获保释候裁的陈朗昇,今午到法庭听取裁决时,身穿记协多年前印制丶写有「新闻自由」英文字样的黑色T恤到场,他直言,事件涉及新闻自由。他指出,新闻自由是俨如香港小宪法的《基本法》内一项庄严承诺,但他只是迟了交出身份证便被指犯法,在这些他被指犯法的所谓法例面前,新闻自由变得十分苍白,「新闻自由究竟喺边度(在哪里)?」他惟有期望,自己是最後一个因新闻工作而因上述法例面对「官非」的记者。

上诉一方争辩,根据《警队条例》第54条,警务人员任何时间在任何公众地方,若发现有人行动可疑,便可将该人截停及搜查,上诉人可要求对方交代截查理由。辩方更进一步质疑警员截查的合法性,指便衣女警感觉陈「可疑」的示因数次更改,有时说是因为他打斜横过马路,有时则指陈用手按着斜孭袋,全都不能构成行动可疑,质疑女警是因为陈是记者工会主席,以政治原因截查他。

但根据暂委法官王诗丽的判词,她完全接纳警员声称不认识陈的说法,认为辩方的质疑欠缺理据和事实基础,裁定警方在这环境下执行职务并无不妥,而上诉人迟迟不拿出身份证明文件,属於阻挠,决定维持罪成和入狱五天的原判。

RSF:罪名莫须有 记协:难以卫权 何来公民权利? 

根据公开资料计算,2020年《港区国安法》实施後,已有至少25名新闻工作者以不同刑事罪行被当局提控,入狱的至少有十五人;当中,仍然在囚的,有八人,分别是壹传媒创办人黎智英和六名前《苹果日报》高层丶网媒《立场新闻》的何桂蓝,以及今天入狱的陈朗昇。

国际组织「无国界记者」(RSF)在裁决後迅速发表声明,该组织亚太区倡议经理白奥兰(Aleksandra Bielakowska) 表示,当局以「莫须有」的罪名判处一个着名记者入狱,显示港府为了令独立传媒噤声,可以多麽无所不用其极。有关裁决更立下一个危险先例,让警方可以放开手脚,进一步侵蚀已被瓦解的新闻自由。

在香港,记协亦发表声明,指记者前往采访反被警员视为可疑而截查,又无法获得合理时间确认执法者身份,忧虑长远将令记者在采访场合面对额外的法律风险,影响新闻自由。声明又说,法庭接受的「可疑动作」其实只是普通人的日常动作,而市民面对身份不明的便衣人员时,要求对方出示证明丶清晰说明来意,属合理丶合法行使个人权利,与故意阻挠执法人员相去甚远。

有旁听裁决发布的记协主席郑嘉如离开法院时指出,法庭现时是用极之狭义的角度诠释条例及涉及的人权,若市民利用诘问的方式去保障自己时,须面对极大的坐牢的风险,试问多少人还会去保障其个人权利?她据此直言,若公民不能捍卫个别权利,那就等於说,这些权利并不存在。记协呼吁法庭,必须保护公民行使个人权利的空间。 

港府在反修例运动中不时阻挠记者采访,捍卫新闻工作者权利的记协,亦成为当局针对目标,保安局长邓炳强更不时批评记协,该会举办活动亦面对其他民主派团体的租场困难;至於陈朗昇本人,更是连租用政府康体场地亦被阻。

曾经蓬勃自由的香港新闻业,在「无国界记者」的全球新闻自由排行榜上属前列,2002年时曾位居第28位,2019年後反覆下滑,今年「维持」在180个国家的第140名,与排名178位的中国,同属最差一级。

英伟达宣布将每年在台湾投资一千五百亿美元 - RFI - 法国国际广播电台

29 May 2026 at 23:45
29/05/2026 - 17:34

当前人工智能领域的领军企业英伟达宣布要加码投资台湾,并在台北建设英伟达台湾总部。2026年5月27日,英伟达首席执行官黄仁勋在台北出席新总部计划动员大会,向上千名与会员工发放礼品。黄仁勋认为,台湾不仅是人工智能的中心,而且在未来很长时间里,仍将是世界高科技生产中心。

英伟达已经在台北选定未来台湾总部的地址,预计2026年年底破土动工,2030年时完工启用。

英伟达选择在台湾建设新总部,是为了更靠近当前全球最先进制程芯片的龙头企业台积电。人工智能技术快速发展所需的先进制程芯片,绝大多数都出自台积电。这项选择也可以方便英伟达与鸿海、纬创资通、广达电脑等其它在人工智能领域地位举足轻重的企业合作。

英伟达台湾总部建成后,预计会招募4000名员工。

黄仁勋在新总部计划动员大会上兴奋地表示,台湾正蓬勃发展,台湾生机盎然。在他看来,台湾是人工智能的中心,而且将会在很长时间里,继续是全球高科技生产的中心。

黄仁勋表示,英伟达将每年向台湾投资的数额提高到1500亿美元。 他认为,仅一家企业就能每年投资1500亿美元,这足以在台湾催生一个令人难以置信的生态系统。但他没有明确英伟达会在多长时间里以这样的规模投资台湾。

台湾,尤其是台积电在全球人工智能供应链中占有不可取代的地位,英伟达、苹果等大型跨国科技企业都依赖台积电的先进制程芯片。

除英伟达之外,另一家总部设在美国的半导体企业超威半导体(ADM)5月21日也宣布投资100亿美元,以强化与台湾科技企业的战略合作关系,扩大自身尖端芯片的设计与封装。

美前防长埃斯珀:预计澳大利亚会在台海冲突中助美发挥作用,已探讨多年 - RFI - 法国国际广播电台

29 May 2026 at 23:45
29/05/2026 - 17:36

曾在美国总统特朗普第一任期内担任国防部长的埃斯珀(Mark Esper)近日在受访时表示,若中国对台动武,预计澳大利亚届时将协助美国,发挥一定作用,并称美澳这两个盟国多年来一直在讨论这种可能性。

当被问道“您担任美国国防部长期间,如果发生类似台湾危机的情况,您对澳大利亚这样的国家有何预期?”,埃斯珀在布拉格举行的全球安全论坛(GLOBSEC Forum 2026)期间接受澳媒播客节目采访时回答说,“你知道我在澳大利亚有很多朋友,我至少去过那里几次。从第一次世界大战开始,我们就一直是哥们儿(mates)”。

埃斯珀续称,“我想,如果追溯到那么久远,澳大利亚在一次又一次的冲突中都与我们并肩作战,所以这是一种非常好的关系,也充分体现了支持。我知道有时候他们可能并不想和我们在那里(并肩作战),澳大利亚人民可能并不想和我们在一起,但他们最终还是和我们站在一起了。因此,我认为这充分体现了澳大利亚作为我们的合作伙伴和盟友的品质”。

埃斯珀称,“关于与中国的冲突,我预计(澳大利亚)会发挥一定作用,而且我们多年来一直在讨论这个问题;这就是为什么我们要在西澳大利亚部署轮换的美国海军陆战队部队;我们正在讨论并在西澳大利亚建设一个潜艇基地。此外,还有澳英美三边安全伙伴关系(AUKUS),它需要比现在更快地推进……”

美国海军陆战队在澳大利亚北领地进行轮换部署始于澳洲前工党总理吉拉德和美国前总统奥巴马执政时期。埃斯珀还赞扬了他与澳大利亚国防部长马尔斯之间持续而友好的私人关系。

马尔斯曾表示,美国将在澳大利亚增设更多军事基地。埃斯珀称赞马尔斯“做得很好”,并指出,一旦发生冲突,美国将捍卫和保护澳大利亚的军事基地免受中方的任何攻击。近二十年来,中国一直是澳大利亚最大的双边贸易伙伴,铁矿石约占澳大利亚出口总额的三分之一。

埃斯珀在采访中还敦促该地区领导人效仿日本首相高市早苗的做法,并称“她说得对。如果首尔、马尼拉和其他地方也能发表类似的声明就好了”。

埃斯珀补充道,“我认为这种声明,我称之为一种宣言式的政策,能够让北京明白,如果他们决定发起这场斗争,那将不仅仅关乎北京和台北,还会牵涉到其他许多国家”。

马尼拉方面,菲律宾总统小马科斯本周在访问东京前曾对日媒表示,由于地理位置毗邻台湾,且很多菲律宾公民在那里工作,一旦台海发生任何冲突,菲律宾将不得不卷入其中,虽然菲方继续坚持“一个中国”政策。

小马科斯说道:“我认为对日本而言,是否介入(任何潜在的台湾冲突)更多的是一种选项。而对菲律宾来说,我们别无选择,因为台湾离菲律宾很近,而且有近20万菲律宾公民在台湾生活和工作”。小马科斯说,“只要看看地图,你就能看出,至少菲律宾北部将会卷入其中,或者至少会受到影响”。

A Hidden Treasure of Rare Snake Specimens

In the foothills of the Ecuadorean Amazon, a 101-year-old farmer and a young scientist turned an amateur collection into a scientific survey of one of the most diverse snake habitats on Earth.

Manuel Genaro Peñafiel Flores with some of his collection of snakes at home in Mera, Ecuador.

Is Spencer Pratt for Real?

The former reality star’s dark visions of Los Angeles are resonating in a heated mayoral race, even if they’re far from the truth.

© Alex Welsh for The New York Times

“It’s not a kind of fame that is fun,” Spencer Pratt said of his political turn.

‘Backrooms’ Is Part of a Boomlet in Movies From YouTube Creators

29 May 2026 at 17:02
“Backrooms,” a psychological horror flick opening this weekend, is part of a wave of breakout films from fledgling directors who honed their instincts on YouTube.

© Asterios Moutsokapas/A24, via Associated Press

The director of “Backrooms,” Kane Parsons, left, on a set with one of the new film’s stars, Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Kane Parsons: From YouTube Sensation to A24’s Youngest Director

29 May 2026 at 17:00
Now 20, the viral creator Kane Parsons is releasing “Backrooms,” a feature-length expansion of his web series.

© Kobe Wagstaff for The New York Times

“Age has never not been part of the conversation with me,” Parsons said.
Yesterday — 29 May 2026News

Canadian 'poison seller' pleads guilty to aiding suicides by selling toxic chemical online

29 May 2026 at 22:35
BBC David Parfett speaking during an interview being conducted outdoors. He has short, grey hair and is wearing a blue shirt. Trees and leaves are in the background.BBC
David Parfett remembers his son Thomas, who died in 2021, as someone who "really saw the joy in life"

Families in the UK say they are angry at the decision by prosecutors not to charge a Canadian man who is alleged to have sold a lethal chemical linked to the deaths of 73 British people.

The father of one of those who died told the BBC that Kenneth Law had caused "devastation" and that he wanted Law to face charges in the UK.

Law, a former chef, is expected to admit 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada when he appears in court in Ontario later on Friday.

Prosecutors there say he marketed and sold lethal quantities of a substance online, which he sent to about 1,200 people around the world.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the Canadian legal system will take the losses of UK families into account.

A letter from the CPS, seen by the BBC, said Law would not face charges in the UK because of legal complexities.

David Parfett's 22 year-old son, Thomas, used the substance said to have been sold to him by Law.

"Tom was somebody who really saw the joy in life. He would find humour in the weirdest places. I often think about his laugh," Parfett said.

"Tom was a massive football fan and he was a good footballer as well. I miss the opportunity to enjoy the 2026 World Cup with him."

David Parfett Thomas Parfett, a young man wearing a faded blue T-shirt and black-framed glasses. He is sat in an outdoor seating area with parasols.David Parfett
Thomas Parfett was described by his father as a "massive football fan"

Parfett said: "I had wanted Law to face charges in the UK... he really needed to face justice over here."

Parfett is calling on the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths.

"I think that a public inquiry is needed because we need action across multiple government departments and unfortunately, we are not seeing that coordination and that understanding of how to address the problem today," he said.

"Fundamentally, the government is failing in its duty to protect life."

The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment.

Law was charged with 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada and 14 counts of second degree murder following his arrest in 2023.

His capture followed a complex investigation by at least 11 law-enforcement agencies and involved investigators from around a dozen countries, including the UK, Italy and the US.

PA Media Close up image of Kenneth Law's face. He is looking at the camera and is wearing glasses.PA Media
Kenneth Law will appear in court in Ontario, Canada later on Friday

British detectives were initially investigating whether 88 deaths were linked to Law's chemical packages, but in its letter to UK families, the CPS said it believed 73 deaths could be linked to Law and that he was expected to accept sending 330 packages to the UK.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, details of organisations offering information are available at BBC Action Line.

Nato condemns Russian 'recklessness' after drone hits Romanian residential block

29 May 2026 at 20:56
Reuters Firefighters work near a building, which was hit by a drone in GalatiReuters
Emergency services work at the scene of a drone crash in Romania

A Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania, the country's defence ministry said early on Friday, causing a fire and injuring two people.

The drone crashed in the eastern city of Galati as Russia carried out attacks in Ukraine near the border, the ministry said in a statement.

The Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said the drone's entire explosive payload detonated, causing a fire on the 10th floor of the residential building.

Russian drones have strayed across the border of the Nato member country a number of times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but this was the first time citizens from Romania had been hurt. Russia has yet to comment on the incident.

"This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation on the part of the Russian Federation," Romania's foreign ministry said, adding Bucharest had informed the Nato secretary general and "requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania".

The emergency services said two people received medical treatment after suffering abrasions and around 70 people were evacuated as the fire was put out.

Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the drones were detected in Romanian airspace, the defence ministry said.

"One of these drones entered Romanian airspace, was tracked by radar as far as the southern part of the city of Galati, and crashed onto the roof of an apartment building, with the impact triggering a fire," it said.

The River Danube nearby forms the border with Ukraine, and Ukrainian ports are regularly targets of Russian air attacks.

In an incident in April, another Russian drone caused material damage in Galati, but no injuries.

Romania's defence ministry says that since the start of the war in Ukraine, drone fragments have been found on Romanian territory on 47 separate occasions, 12 of them this year alone.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Meanwhile, a nationwide air raid alert was also issued overnight in Ukraine, where officials in the south of the country said the port of Izmail in the Odesa region came under drone attack early on Friday.

And in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, three utility workers were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Thursday, the Kremlin-installed head of the region said.

A fourth man was seriously injured in the incident, Denis Pushilin said on the Telegram messaging app.

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